Memorandum
Date: November 5, 2024
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: District 3 Supervisor, Eddie “EJ” Crandell, Sr.
District 2 Supervisor, Bruno Sabatier
Subject: Consideration of Review of the Mendocino Air Quality Control MOU
Executive Summary:
On August 15, 2023, the Lake County Board of Supervisors approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District and the Lake County Air Quality Management District for Interim Air Pollution Control Officer Services. Examples of these services include: permitting stationary sources, grant program oversight, review and signature of official reports and grant programs, prescribed and open burn program, attending meetings, and budget management.
These services were agreed to be paid for at a maximum not to exceed 10 hours per week at a rate of $113.50 per hour with a maximum not to exceed $28,284 for the term of the MOU. The term of the MOU was to terminate as of January 31, 2024.
The origins of this MOU was due to Mendocino County not having a Mendocino County Air Quality Management District Director. They requested our assistance with our Lake County Air District Director working as an Interim Mendocino County Air District Director while they worked on recruiting.
During this time, an amendment to the MOU was approved on February 6, 2024. This extended the MOU through June 30, 2025 and increased the total compensation to a maximum not to exceed $113,136. A reason for this amendment was to have time to train the newly recruited Mendocino County Air District Director.
There are just under 8 months of the MOU’s term left until June 30, 2025. However, we have had discussions at the Board of Supervisors trying to help our Lake County Air District who is experiencing high levels of vacancies, and are now offering stipends and hiring incentives to try and assist in filling those vacancies. Additionally, the Air District office is closed to public access outside of appointments so as to help with the lack of staffing able to pause their work and greet the public and provide assistance to them.
There are over 700 renewal permits to complete. State and Federal mandates and health risk are being prioritized while processing new permits is not the first priority and can take up to 180 days to get approved.
A discussion about the MOU with Mendocino County is necessary. There is potential Lake County residents/businesses who may be seeking improvements to our county for demolition permits, grant approvals or construction approvals. Is the Mendocino County MOU ideal considering the concerns presented by the Lake County Air District regarding their vacancies and lack of capacity to fulfill approvals? We hope to discuss the value of continuing this MOU and whether or not we should seek to terminate it or finish the term.
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Recommended Action: Direct staff to terminate the MOU with Mendocino County Air Quality Management District.